Preserving Your Career While Being a Military Spouse

All too often our worlds are ever-changing! We've lived through move after move and deployment after deployment. As military spouses, we have made tremendous sacrifices. Nonetheless, the largest sacrifice that impacts our livelihood is our careers. We have left high paying jobs. We have shortened our job longevity records. We have gain employment gaps. We have accepted the only option to "start over" in building our careers. Often times, these types of changes are looked upon negatively by employers.

The National Defense Research Institute studied the challenges of military spouse employment. They state that "most satisfied military families are those with an employed spouse" (Rand, 2005) I can agree with the report that many military spouse's careers have suffered because of a number of factors. However I believe other factors such as education, childcare, financial situations and availability of compatible employment comes into play.

The Department of Defense has implemented programs to assist military spouses with seeking and obtaining employment; no matter where the service member is stationed. However, often times the employment opportunities available do not fit into the career plans of the military spouses. Nor, are they readily abundant. Additionally, several companies have implemented positions that are "military spouse- friendly jobs". (Conversation, ACS, 2007) Many of these employers value the talent, skills and knowledge of the military spouse. Nonetheless, the abundance of military spouse-friendly employers in specific areas does not exist. There are no guarantees for any duty station that these companies and businesses are present in the area of choice.

So what do you do when you have 7 years of prior experience in your field and hold a Masters degree in business? Yet local employers tell you you're over-experienced, over-qualified or lack the specific skills needed for the job. Well, there are a few options: start your own business, volunteer to gain other useful skills, go back to school to obtain another degree or more specialized training, get involved with worthwhile projects with hopes of earning compensation in the long run.

I've presented a different perspective to what it is like to be a Military Spouse. We have more diverse challenges in our lives that what is often visually described through the media or press. I present this information as an Army Wife who has been married to a soldier for 7 years and deployed across the world 4 times. My tenure as a Military Spouse has been rewarding, however, we are never far from reality and our lives are the intricate part of an ever-changing world!

Source: "Working around the Military, Challenges of Military Spouse Employment", Rand 2005. Posted at www.Rand.org